Pirelli Rally

After missing out on the Bulldog we finally got to see a decent amount of action from the BRC crews in what proved to be a real endurance event for the crews. Keith Cronin & Marshall Clarke (DS3) were consistently quick throughout the Saturday to notch up their first win of the season from Jarkko & Petri Nikara (DS3). The final victory margin had been just over 17 seconds but in truth Cronin backed off on the final stage after holding a bigger lead over initial rally leader Nikara. The podium was duly completed by Mark Donnelly & Dai Roberts (Clio R3) over a minute and a half further back. Still this was welcome for the Sunseeker winner after what happened on the Bulldog. Special mention must go to Elfyn Evans & Phil Pugh (Fiesta R2) who had been 2nd overnight in what was a stunning drive in a less powerful car than the top 3.

Somerset Stages Rally

Before a wheel was turned in anger the Somerset Stages had drama at the top of the field. Charlie Payne & Craig Thorley (Focus WRC) were non-starters earlier in the week but Roger Chilman & Bryan Thomas (Impreza WRC) got down to scrutineering and after working through the night were unable to start due to gearbox maladies. This left 2011 winners Hugh Hunter & Andy Marchbank (Focus WRC) with two major rivals missing. The retirements then hit in full effect from stage one with Mick O’Brien & Patrick Walsh (Focus WRC) failing to complete the first stage. Hunter had very little in the way of opposition and contrary to recent battles on the Somerset he eased to victory by over a minute.

Alan Healy Memorial Cadwell Park Stages

Our first ever visit to the Lincolnshire circuit was a delight and it proved to be a close fought rally too. After two stages Roger Duckworth & Aled Davies led an Impreza WRC trio of Graham Coffey & John Vance by 1 second with David Turnbull & Matthew Whattam a further second back in third. After 4 stages the gaps had hardly grown but Turnbull had swapped places with Coffey. Turnbull then wrong slotted and got a maximum, eventually fighting back to ninth, with Coffey having a minor off of the 4th pair of stages to leave Duckworth clear to win by 13 seconds.